Agrilinus ater

This record describes Agrilinus ater (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Feature	Description
Additional details	4 to 6 mm.
Head	Head black, narrowly expanded laterally in front of eyes, evenly rounded then sinuate to front angles, front margin distinctly curved.
Pronotum	Pronotum black, very convex and shining, finely bordered, evenly punctured throughout with large and small punctures.
Elytra	Elytra uniformly black or sometimes obscurely reddish, appearing dull against pronotum.
Legs	Legs black. Hind tarsi with first segment as long as next three together. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed. Found in various types of dung as well as decaying vegetable matter. Fairly frequent and possibly under recorded in our area.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Agrilinus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Found in various types of dung as well as decaying vegetable matter.

Seasonal Activity

Peak time is April to August.

Additional species information

Recorded status

Widespread and quite common in Britain.

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agrilinus ater. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.

Ecological role of the group

Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.

Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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